Projects

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  Calent Jetting Below Slab

  This project required us to remove hard, coral-like buildup in a water pipe (calent) that was a tie- in branch to the main pipe. The pipe was below the slab, which required us to wet-saw cut the slab and remove it. Next we dug down almost 6 feet to reach the pipe, removing the dirt from the building so we could relocate it elsewhere after the project completion. As per the customer’s safety protocols and our own practices, we installed 2 inch galvanized safety posts around the trench to reduce the risk of someone falling into it. We used our high-pressure jet hose to cut into the lime and loosen it, then we used our vacuum to remove this debris and the water from the trench. We completed ... Read More
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  Residential Sewer Replacement

  The customer in St. Petersburg was experiencing sewer backups in toilets and the sinks in the house were not draining. We identified the bad exterior sewer section of the sewer line using our camera and locator, then attempted to unclog the drain using conventional drain-cleaning equipment, including the snake. When possible, we place the camera in the line so that the customer can see why the backup occurred because often once this issue happens it becomes a repetitive one. In this situation, we needed to replace a length of pipe and so we called the utility locator before conducting a machine excavation. We removed the grass and stacked it so it could be replaced when we finished the proje... Read More
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  St Vince Grease Trap

  Grease traps deteriorate and fail when the reinforcements rot. The user becomes aware of this when it completely fails or during an inspection while the tank is being pumped out. Some municipalities have periodic inspections where the inspectors coordinate with the pump drivers so they can see for themselves if there is a problem. This client’s existing grease trap failed but it was in a location where that we couldn’t reach with our equipment. Because of this issue, we relocated the tank about 70 feet from its original location, which allowed us the access we needed. We dug the trench large enough to accommodate the new tank. Our truck brought a 1,200-gallon concrete, a tractor-grade... Read More
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  Six Inch Private Water Main

  We were contacted by an existing customer who owns an apartment complex because the water was bubbling up in their private roadway. Before we could start work we called for an emergency location for underground utilities and the service providers sent someone out to mark the lines so we wouldn’t damage anything. We saw cut the roadway and machine excavated the area to expose the leak. Since it was a slow leak, we did this work with the water until we found the hairline crack in the pipe. Once we located the leak, we shut off the water and cut out the bad section. The 6-inch water feed provides water to the entire complex and so we used heavy duty connections and compression fittings to mak... Read More
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  Cognizant Water Cooler

  We had completed a previous pipe replacement for this client and returned because the process they used to clean parts was pouring boiling water into their drain, which melted the PVC pipes below. To alleviate this issue, we installed a cognizant water cooler, which is a device that is designed to inject domestic cold water into the discharged water to reduce the temperature by at least 100 degrees. Installing the cognizant water cooler required us to reroute and reconfigure some of the pipes and add access to the domestic cold water before connecting it to the existing floor waste system.... Read More
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  Water Service Feed

  The water service that feeds a Regent’s Bank in Largo was failing and we were contacted to address the issue. We removed the asphalt that covered the waterline and found that a quarter-sized hole in a length of galvanized pipe. We removed this section and replaced it with a plastic pipe. Sometimes this type of repair can last for years but in most situations, it is best to replace the entire line. The reason we might recommend full replacement is that the rust and corrosion in the pipe can contaminate the water coming into a home or building, and sometimes when we cut the faulty section out vibrations from the saw can cause other leaks. Galvanized pipes are no longer in common use and when... Read More
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  Removal of a Section of Clogged Pipe at Manufacturing Facility

  This client has us come in on a regular basis to use a hydro jet to remove wax and starch from their production line. They produce water-proof boxes and on this particular visit they had experienced a wax over-pour on their line, which completely clogged a six inch pipe. This pipe was located outside the plant at a depth of six feet. After a few hours of using our hydro jet with little progress in unclogging the pipe, we used a camera to locate the precise location of the blockage. We then excavated the pipe and removed the portion that was completely blocked by the spilled paraffin wax and replace it with a new length of pipe. While this incident occurred on a large industrial scale, it is ... Read More
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  Commercial Water Softener Installation at Assisted Living Facility

  We installed a commercial water softener system that was large enough to serve the entire assisted living facility building. The resin material in the water softener removes minerals and gives the water a “soft” feel. The only challenge we faced with this project was delivery delays of the system to the site.... Read More
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  Water Heater Replacements at Tarpon Springs Hotel

  Over the course of a year, we replaced four 100 gallon natural gas water heaters at this Tarpon Springs hotel. These heaters, which supply hot water for the entire building, had begun to leak. These leaks occurred one heater at a time so we replaced them on an individual basis as needed. The project required that we remove all of the existing piping from in front of the heaters, remove the old heaters then install new pipes and natural gas lines, as well as the new units. The biggest challenge we faced was disassembling each of the 500 pound existing heaters in the tight space and we had to use an electric stair climbing dolly to transport them out of the building for disposal.... Read More
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  Lift Station Installation at Seminole Lanes Bowling Alley

  This client had a gravity sewer and we installed an 8 foot deep, 48 inch wide lift station, also known as a wet well. This two-day project resulted in a successful installation of the lift station, which allows the waste to be pumped uphill to the city or county sewer system.... Read More
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  Dog Fountain

  The Drain Team has completed numerous projects for Pinellas County and we were contacted again to install new drinking fountains at the Pinellas Animal Shelter. The goal was to replace water bowls for the dogs with a dog drinking fountain, as well as provide one for the volunteers who walk the dogs. The dog fountain has a foot pedal that can be used to fill the basin with clean, fresh water for dogs to drink from. The project required that we install a water line to the location where the fountains would be installed. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, we set the line in place and also installed a drain. Once they were in place, we prepared the site for pouring the concrete slab, ... Read More
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  Hand Digging Around Utility Lines

  There was a small leak on a water service line leading to a building at a condominium complex. Once we identified the problem, we called to request an underground utility locate. Under the law, we need to request this and then mark the locations of all nearby underground services to protect workers from accidentally coming into contact with major power lines and gas lines, as well as to avoid cutting cable lines that provide phone and internet connectivity to residents in the complex. Once the underground utilities were marked, we needed to complete the work by hand because we can’t machine dig within two feet of these lines. In this situation, we contacted the power company and requested... Read More
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  Extra Storm Drainage Installation

  We were contracted to install storm drainage at a condominium complex. While preexisting storm drainage was on the property, they needed an additional storm drain to address standing water in one area. To start the project, we removed the existing asphalt pavement. To our surprise, we found that they had poured concrete underneath the asphalt due to prior compaction problems. We used the jackhammer attachment to our bobcat to break up the concrete, which was removed from the trench and taken to the landfill. We installed the new drain, added backfill and compacted the soil. Next we covered the area with new road base prior to paving. Repaving work had already been scheduled for the condomin... Read More
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  Industrial Bathroom Remodel

  For this project we worked under a general contractor for the remodel of a men's locker room. Both the client and the contractor wanted to assure that there would be no drainage issues after the renovations were completed. This was a good decision because we've worked with clients who have rented a space and remodeled it only to find out later that there were plumbing problems. As a result, much of the remodeling work had to be redone after the plumbing issues were addressed. Here, the client was proactive, wanting to assure that there would be no draining or other plumbing problems later. To start the project we first conducted a video inspection of the pipes beneath the flooring to identi... Read More
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  Residential Kitchen Line

  We were called to a home in Clearwater, Florida to address a problem with a clogged kitchen drain. Our technician went into the crawlspace beneath the home and found that the drain had a “belly” in it, meaning that the drain had sagged due to lack of proper support. This problem occurred because the drain wasn’t installed properly. Water collected in the sag and when grease was poured into the drain, it reached this water and cooled, coating the pipe. Over time, this grease buildup completely clogged drain. To address this problem, we cut the drain out and replaced it, along with about 20 feet of pipe. We used a level to make sure that the drain had the proper slope to drain, and we... Read More
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  Residential Shower

  At the Drain Team we address residential plumbing needs during new construction, remodels or failures. For this project, the homeowners experienced water damage from a faulty shower pan liner from a second floor bathroom. The water leaked through the failing liner and down to the floor below. A shower pan liner is the layer beneath the mortar bed and tile, and waterproofs the shower. We came in and removed only the tile rows necessary to complete the repair. Next we removed the old shower pan liner, and drain, and replaced these items with new materials. We then prepared the site for the required inspection and our work passed. Finally, removed our tools and left a clean site for the tile c... Read More